Channeling of electrons and positrons in straight and periodically bent diamond(110) crystals

In this paper we present the results of a systematic numerical analysis of the channeling properties of electrons and positrons in oriented straight and periodically bent diamond(110) crystals. We analyse dependence of the intensity of the radiation emitted on the projectile energy as well as on the bending amplitude. The analysis presented is based on the grounds of accurate numerical simulations of the channeling process. The simulation parameters, such as the crystal orientation, thickness and bending parameters of the crystals as well as the energy of the projectiles, were chosen to match those used in past and ongoing experiments. The peculiarities which appear in the radiation spectra are attributed to the interplay of various radiation mechanisms. The analysis performed can be used to predict and explain future experimental results.Comment: 14 pages, 8 figures, 1 tabl

An Apology of Contemporary American Horror Remakes

Book review: Mee, L. (2022). Reanimated: The Contemporary American Horror Remake. Edinburgh University Press

“Horror Movies Always Know What We Did Last Summer”: Meta-Horror, Philosophy, and “The Cabin in the Woods”

The paper reviews Suzanne Kord's 2023 book dedicated to the film “The Cabin in the Woods.” It analyzes the film's meta-nature through allusions and references. The review explores philosophical themes addressed in the movie, including the clash between faith and nihilism, the ethical implications of self-sacrifice, humanity's place in the world, the individual versus humanity, and the issue of free will. It highlights the film's extradiegetic elements, emphasizing how “The Cabin in the Woods,” as a philosophical text, elicits a philosophical response from viewers. The paper presents Suzanne Kord's horror theory, which posits that the essence of the genre lies not in fear but in guilt. It offers an assessment and brief critique of this theory

Equation of state and opacities for hydrogen atmospheres of magnetars

The equation of state and radiative opacities of partially ionized, strongly magnetized hydrogen plasmas, presented in a previous paper [ApJ 585, 955 (2003), astro-ph/0212062] for the magnetic field strengths 8.e11 G < B < 3.e13 G, are extended to the field strengths 3.e13 G < B < 1.e15 G, relevant for magnetars. The first- and second-order thermodynamic functions and radiative opacities are calculated and tabulated for 5.e5 < T < 4.e7 K in a wide range of densities. We show that bound-free transitions give an important contribution to the opacities in the considered range of B in the outer neutron-star atmosphere layers. Unlike the case of weaker fields, bound-bound transitions are unimportant.Comment: 7 pages, 6 figures, LaTeX using emulateapj.cls (included). Accepted by Ap

Identification of the Factors of Sustainable Development of Regional Agricultural Systems Using Regression Model

The study is aimed at providing a theoretical basis for the relevance of sustainable development of regional agricultural systems and the development of practical recommendations for the implementation of the algorithm evaluation of the factors affecting the condition of agricultural production at the regional level. The study uses a systematic approach, supplemented with multifunctionality paradigm of agricultural production, which has enabled to develop an algorithm that includes a series of steps aimed at creating a regression model that reflects the significance of selected factors and their impact on the development of regional agricultural system. The developed method is tested in a study of rural areas of the Penza region, situated in the Central European part of Russia. The proposed indicators of sustainable development of regional agricultural systems are able to objectify the process of further evaluation of the spatial inhomogeneity of the factors determining sustainability of the agricultural production. The research findings provide additional opportunities in the agricultural development of the region. Keywords: sustainable development factors, agricultural system, rural areas, regional development, regression model JEL Classifications: 013, R1

Intact Cytoskeleton Is Required for Small G Protein Dependent Activation of the Epithelial Na+ Channel

BACKGROUND: The Epithelial Na(+) Channel (ENaC) plays a central role in control of epithelial surface hydration and vascular volume. Similar to other ion channels, ENaC activity is regulated, in part, by cortical cytoskeleton. Besides, the cytoskeleton is an established target for small G proteins signaling. Here we studied whether ENaC activity is modulated by changes in the state of the cytoskeleton and whether cytoskeletal elements are involved in small G protein mediated increase of ENaC activity. METHODS AND FINDINGS: First, the functional importance of the cytoskeleton was established with whole-cell patch clamp experiments recording ENaC reconstituted in CHO cells. Pretreatment with Cytochalasin D (CytD; 10 microg/ml; 1-2 h) or colchicine (500 microM; 1-3 h) to disassembly F-actin and destroy microtubules, respectively, significantly decreased amiloride sensitive current. However, acute application of CytD induced rapid increase in macroscopic current. Single channel measurements under cell-attached conditions revealed similar observations. CytD rapidly increased ENaC activity in freshly isolated rat collecting duct, polarized epithelial mouse mpkCCD(c14) cells and HEK293 cells transiently transfected with ENaC subunits. In contrast, colchicine did not have an acute effect on ENaC activity. Small G proteins RhoA, Rac1 and Rab11a markedly increase ENaC activity. 1-2 h treatment with colchicine or CytD abolished effects of these GTPases. Interestingly, when cells were coexpressed with ENaC and RhoA, short-term treatment with CytD decreased ENaC activity. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that cytoskeleton is involved in regulation of ENaC and is necessary for small G protein mediated increase of ENaC activity